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Thread: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

  1. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    wales,ny
    Posts
    710

    Default Re: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

    Hi Jeff , welcome to the IO-240 minority. here is a copy of a response I recently sent to a new IO-240 powered owner: There are a few of us out here that love this aircraft/engine combo. I finished my Series 5 Outback back in 2003 and can't believe that I have been flying it for 13 years already. The IO-240 has been bulletproof in the 750 hours I have flown it so far. As far as my prop history goes , I started with a warp drive (Skystar recommended prop) never got installed as it was found not to hold up to the IO-240 power pulses and developed cracks. That prop was sent back and I bought a Sensenich W74EK-2-58. this is a 72 inch dia. prop (thats what the -2 means-2" cut off from the 74 " prop at the factory) This prop only only developed about 2200-2250 static rpm at full power on takeoff. I called Sensenich and they recommended trimming the prop , so I got up some nerve and took a saw to the blade and trimmed 3/4" from each end-it got static rpm to 2300-2350 and helped takeoff perf and is my most of the time prop. I was very careful and used a fine furniture builders hand saw to make the cut , then sanded the tips to the same profile they were before and added some epoxy varnish to the cut areas. i did not rebalance in any way with no noticeable vibration change. Jeff hays , another I0-240 guy on the list had the same prop and did the same thing to his. My takeoff distance solo from grass is around 350' and I cruise at 115 to 120 mph at 2400-2500 rpm variable with alt and temp. I live in snow country in western NY so I fly on skiis in the winter and needed a good up and out prop for winter ops so I bought another Sensenich prop which is my climb prop. it is designated W74EK-54 and is a true 74 inch dia. With this prop , my static RPM is 2400-2450 RPM and is a good climb prop. Cruise speed will suffer by 5-10mph with this prop which isn't a problem since I stay close to home in the winter anyway. As far as recommended torque values go, Sensenich says for AN6 bolts (3/8'') 200 +/- 25 inch-lbs and thats what I use. Like you I have always wondered about other props like a Catto or whirlwind, but at what they cost, I need to know exact specs from someone operating an IO-240 with those props to see if there would be a significant perf increase. There is a guy Phil on the list who recently completed a Series 5 with an IO-240 who is using a Catto prop but I haven't gotten enough specific data from him to make the buy. I would lean toward the Catto as guys seem to love them. It would mean no more seasonal retorques and flying in rain wouldn't erode the prop -which are 2 of my wood prop complaints. Can you tell me the history of your vixen, I thought I knew of all the IO-240 guys out there but didn't recognize your handle when I saw your post on the list. Any help you need don't hesitate to holler. I still really enjoy my airplane after all these years and know I built the right one for me. see ya later Bruce N199CL

  2. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    KDKB (Dekalb, Illinois)
    Posts
    644

    Default Re: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

    Hi -

    I use the W74EK-54 from Sensenich, and went through the same props Bruce
    did prior to this prop. I think I am the first one using the 74, as it resulted from
    a conversation with Sensenich about the original 72", which we cut back to 70.5-71".
    I marked mine with a Sharpie and used a belt sander to remove
    material to the line.

    With the 74" prop in my plane, I can hit VNE in level flight, and don't feel that
    in my plane there was any loss of cruise speed. Everybody get's a little
    different results it seems.

    I'm with Bruce on the rain issue. I fly in the rain, and I prefer flying on grey
    dreary days to bright sunny days, so having a prop that I don't have to
    worry about being eaten would be nice.

    Regards,
    Jeff Hays

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Locust Valley NY
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

    Quote Originally Posted by airlina View Post
    Hi Jeff , welcome to the IO-240 minority. here is a copy of a response I recently sent to a new IO-240 powered owner: There are a few of us out here that love this aircraft/engine combo. I finished my Series 5 Outback back in 2003 and can't believe that I have been flying it for 13 years already. The IO-240 has been bulletproof in the 750 hours I have flown it so far. As far as my prop history goes , I started with a warp drive (Skystar recommended prop) never got installed as it was found not to hold up to the IO-240 power pulses and developed cracks. That prop was sent back and I bought a Sensenich W74EK-2-58. this is a 72 inch dia. prop (thats what the -2 means-2" cut off from the 74 " prop at the factory) This prop only only developed about 2200-2250 static rpm at full power on takeoff. I called Sensenich and they recommended trimming the prop , so I got up some nerve and took a saw to the blade and trimmed 3/4" from each end-it got static rpm to 2300-2350 and helped takeoff perf and is my most of the time prop. I was very careful and used a fine furniture builders hand saw to make the cut , then sanded the tips to the same profile they were before and added some epoxy varnish to the cut areas. i did not rebalance in any way with no noticeable vibration change. Jeff hays , another I0-240 guy on the list had the same prop and did the same thing to his. My takeoff distance solo from grass is around 350' and I cruise at 115 to 120 mph at 2400-2500 rpm variable with alt and temp. I live in snow country in western NY so I fly on skiis in the winter and needed a good up and out prop for winter ops so I bought another Sensenich prop which is my climb prop. it is designated W74EK-54 and is a true 74 inch dia. With this prop , my static RPM is 2400-2450 RPM and is a good climb prop. Cruise speed will suffer by 5-10mph with this prop which isn't a problem since I stay close to home in the winter anyway. As far as recommended torque values go, Sensenich says for AN6 bolts (3/8'') 200 +/- 25 inch-lbs and thats what I use. Like you I have always wondered about other props like a Catto or whirlwind, but at what they cost, I need to know exact specs from someone operating an IO-240 with those props to see if there would be a significant perf increase. There is a guy Phil on the list who recently completed a Series 5 with an IO-240 who is using a Catto prop but I haven't gotten enough specific data from him to make the buy. I would lean toward the Catto as guys seem to love them. It would mean no more seasonal retorques and flying in rain wouldn't erode the prop -which are 2 of my wood prop complaints. Can you tell me the history of your vixen, I thought I knew of all the IO-240 guys out there but didn't recognize your handle when I saw your post on the list. Any help you need don't hesitate to holler. I still really enjoy my airplane after all these years and know I built the right one for me. see ya later Bruce N199CL

    Wow, thanks for that great info,... I printed that out.
    I bought it from a guy named Paul Stropki and it was in Dalton Ohio, and I bought it as a crashed plane about a month ago, I fell in love with it, so I sold my kf3 in 5 days and went and got this one. It is meticulously built, beautiful craftsmanship, flying since 2002 always hangered and babied , Has skiis too, The damage was minor in my opinion, but enough to make it totaled, un-rebuildable, as they said. A right wing strut was the major damage, hit a chain link fence on roll out, at idle, I need a prop, some small fabric repairs, and I need to add some re-enforcement to the wing root, tubing, still making decisions on that, and trying to calculate some forces. I am in love with the plane, I need about two to three more full days of work on the details. Then just a paperwork process. This is my third kf but the nicest set up by far, engine looks like brand new, not a spec of dust or oil anywhere, it has about 650 hours, but looks new, new new,.. love it,.. really look forward to this. My kf 3 I never went more than 60 mph with, and never traveled more than 70 miles away with the rotax 670 2 stroker. I also have a Cessna 172, but hope to use this new kf5 a lot more than the Cessna, affordable, and more fun to fly, as well as cooler looking, tundra tires seem to be about 22 inches tall. Nice size tail wheel too. I do not know how to share a photo on this site or if it is even possible. Keep in touch.

  4. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Chisholm Mn
    Posts
    1,562

    Default Re: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

    If you want to post pictures, (which we would all like to see) when you type your message, look down lower on the page in the additional options section, and you will see a little box that says 'manage attachments'. Click that button. Another page will open with a browse attachments button on it. Click this button and find the picture you are looking for in your computer. Upload the picture, and then close that page. The picture should then be attached to your reply. Give it a try with pictures of your new bird! :-) JImChuk

  5. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    wales,ny
    Posts
    710

    Default Re: Best prop for KF 7 with an 0-200

    Quote Originally Posted by kitfoxJeff View Post
    Wow, thanks for that great info,... I printed that out.
    I bought it from a guy named Paul Stropki and it was in Dalton Ohio, and I bought it as a crashed plane about a month ago, I fell in love with it, so I sold my kf3 in 5 days and went and got this one. It is meticulously built, beautiful craftsmanship, flying since 2002 always hangered and babied , Has skiis too, The damage was minor in my opinion, but enough to make it totaled, un-rebuildable, as they said. A right wing strut was the major damage, hit a chain link fence on roll out, at idle, I need a prop, some small fabric repairs, and I need to add some re-enforcement to the wing root, tubing, still making decisions on that, and trying to calculate some forces. I am in love with the plane, I need about two to three more full days of work on the details. Then just a paperwork process. This is my third kf but the nicest set up by far, engine looks like brand new, not a spec of dust or oil anywhere, it has about 650 hours, but looks new, new new,.. love it,.. really look forward to this. My kf 3 I never went more than 60 mph with, and never traveled more than 70 miles away with the rotax 670 2 stroker. I also have a Cessna 172, but hope to use this new kf5 a lot more than the Cessna, affordable, and more fun to fly, as well as cooler looking, tundra tires seem to be about 22 inches tall. Nice size tail wheel too. I do not know how to share a photo on this site or if it is even possible. Keep in touch.
    Those of us with the IO-240 on our kitfoxes are a small community, and I was wondering whose airplane you bought. I was a bit saddened to hear that it was Paul's and it had been damaged and hope no one was hurt. Back in '03 I was just finishing my Series 5 Outback and 2 guys were kind enough to give me a ride in their recently completed IO-240 powered planes. On the way home from OSH I stopped in the Chicago area and Jeff Hays gave me a great intro flight in his sweet Series 5, then it was on to Ohio, where Paul did the same for me in his beautiful airplane. Glad to hear it is rebuildable , because as you mentioned, Paul did a great job on the plane and is a meticulous builder. With those demo flights under my belt I got home and got up the nerve to do my 1st flight the next week. Been having fun in 199CL ever since. Good luck getting her airborne again. Bruce N199CL

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